Memorial Fund Helps to Enhance Patient Care

Robert (Bob) Fischer was known as a man with a good sense of humor and an appetite for classical literature. “He always had a thick book in his hands about the world’s history,” said Julie Roswick, Bob’s daughter.

On March 19, 2012, Bob’s books were sadly closed when he passed away at St. Alexius Medical center. In lieu of flowers at the funeral, Helen Fischer, Bob’s wife, decided to establish a memorial fund in Bob’s name through the St. Alexius Foundation to support the St. Alexius’ Kidney Dialysis Unit (KDU).

Since 2008 Bob received kidney dialysis treatments. “On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays he’d take his old 1990 Toyota pickup – that he would never get rid of – and leave at 6:40 a.m. and get home around Noon. As he left he would say ‘I’m off to see the wizard’,” Helen recalled. “He spent so much time with the people at St. Alexius’ KDU he said they felt like a family. They really got to know him as a person and he trusted the staff.”

Not only was the staff helpful while Bob was there, but also while Helen and Bob traveled. “My parents went to Texas for the winters and the staff at St. Alexius KDU made arrangements for my dad to continue treatments while there,” said Julie. “It meant a lot to my dad. He realized that even though his life had changed it did not mean he could not travel.”

Helen decided to set up the memorial fund because she knew it would better patients’ experience. “For as much time as Bob had to spend in treatment, or any patient for that matter, they do not want to be there. When we thought about establishing the memorial, we wanted to make sure it went to something that helped the patients; anything that can make the experience more comfortable for everyone.”

Through the Robert Fischer Memorial fund more than $1,100 was raised for St. Alexius’ KDU. The money goes to enhancing patient care just like past funds raised helped KDU recently purchase eight new dialysis chairs scheduled for delivery late summer of this year.

Even though Robert is missed by Helen and his four children Julie, (Bismarck), Mike, (Bismarck), Jean, (Apple Valley, Minn.), and Rob, (Anchorage, Alaska); six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren; the 1990 Toyota pickup is still in the family. “My brother, Mike, has it,” smiled Julie.